This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Saturday's five-game main slate is a bit scarce on quality pitching, but we can more than make up for that with cheap offense in excellent matchups. Those who wish to go the low-cost pitching route may find an arm or two, but the focus should be on a premium option for the first slot.
Pitching Overview
Hyun-Jin Ryu ($11,500) and his stunning 1.26 ERA in 14 starts would be worth a look regardless of who's in the other dugout, but he should really be able to sink his teeth into a matchup against the Rockies, who have logged a bottom-5 wOBA on the road this season at .286. While some may find this cost prohibitive, that kind of concern shouldn't come into play as much on such a short slate.
Lance Lynn ($10,100) has seemingly improved with each passing month, and currently holds a 2.84 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 25.1 June frames. This should serve him well in a matchup against the White Sox, whose 26 percent strikeout rate against right-handed pitching rates as the third highest mark in the league.
Masahiro Tanaka ($9,400) has struggled at various points this year, but put up a season-best 47.5 DraftKings points in his last outing against the Rays by logging 10 strikeouts in a two-hit shutout. Tanaka is always an intriguing option thanks to his ability to get punchouts and grounders and finds himself in a better spot than usual against the Astros, who have produced a bottom-10 wOBA over the last calendar month.
The Braves aren't anyone's idea of a cushy matchup, but Anibal Sanchez ($6,900) demands our attention thanks to the 1.87 ERA he has posted in 33.2 innings dating back to the beginning of May. Sanchez has lagged behind in the strikeout department of late, but remains a solid low-cost option due to his run of dominance.
Key Values
We can kick things off with Cody Bellinger ($5,700), who should be fairly popular in a matchup against Colorado rookie Peter Lambert. It's hard to imagine Lambert is ready to pitch at this level, as he has allowed 10 runs in 15 innings with the big club this year and kept a 5.07 ERA in 60.1 frames at Triple-A Albuquerque. Meanwhile, Bellinger boasts an otherworldly .458 wOBA against righty pitching.
Wade Miley has thrown the ball well overall this season, but tends to struggle on the road with a 4.68 ERA in 42.1 innings. Gary Sanchez ($5,100) has hit righties and lefties equally well this year, resulting in a .397 wOBA and .368 ISO in 212 at-bats.
Tyler Beede is another young pitcher who doesn't appear to be ready to face major league hitters, as his 16 percent walk rate and six homers allowed in 28.1 innings has contributed to a 6.67 ERA over that span. Eduardo Escobar ($5,100) has come to life against left-handed pitching this season, but has still notched a .211 ISO against righties.
Shin-Soo Choo ($5,100) should be considered something close to a must-play for his matchup against Odrisamer Despaigne, who has allowed 10 runs in 10.1 innings during his time with the White Sox. Choo appears to be locked in a bounce-back season for the ages, maintaining a .405 wOBA against right-handed pitchers in 206 at-bats.
Juan Soto ($4,600) is picking up right where he left off in his impressive rookie campaign, as evidenced by the .300/.399/.517 slash line he has put up in 240 at-bats. This is potentially bad news for the struggling Mike Foltynewicz, who has allowed 15 homers in just 55 innings this year.
Brandon Belt ($3,500) has flown under the radar in San Francisco but has shown legitimate power against righty pitching, thanks to a .238 ISO in 151 at-bats. Zack Godley hasn't been able to find his rhythm in 2019, with mediocre walk and strikeout rates contributing to a 6.52 ERA in 18 games over eight starts.
Stacks
Dodgers vs. Peter Lambert (Rockies)
Cody Bellinger (OF - $4,700) Joc Pederson (OF -$4,400) Alex Verdugo (OF- $3,600)
Prospective owners should be encouraged to load up on Dodgers against Lambert, who has struggled at two levels. Fortunately, there are enough cheap options in play for us to roster Bellinger without much hassle.
Rangers vs. Odrisamer Despaigne (White Sox)
Shin-Soo Choo (OF - $5,700) Rougned Odor (2B - $3,900) Asdrubal Cabrera (3B - $3,900)
Despaigne hasn't enjoyed much service time with the big club this year, but we've seen nothing suggesting he will be able to survive in one of the best hitter's parks in baseball. Injuries have resulted in a fairly stripped-down Texas lineup, but that can allow us to save money in more than a few spots.
